Pipe Fitting angle precision on the fly?

[tzframpton]

I've been racking my brain for an hour and still can't get this one figured out. I've managed to narrow my issue down and now I'm stuck. The issue is -- in layman's terms -- I need pipe fittings to follow a small and precise angle as I'm continually routing the pipe.

For instance: I am running 14" CHWS piping that is following a large "half moon" through an airport terminal. The pipes are spanning approximately 20'-0" before they have to redirect ever so slightly; we're talking between 2 & 3 degrees. But it's usually 2.709 degree, or 2.342 degree, etc. Now what I've been able to manage, only if I route the pipe perpendicular to the orientation of the drawing space, is place the new direction at, say 10 degrees, then place an Angle Dimension to "pull the pipe back" into the proper angle. But then when I continue routing pipe, it errors every time with any fitting, even a 45 degree fitting.

• I've changed the angle precision of the project units all the way up.
• I've changed the Elbow Angle Increment to 0.001 deg in Mechanical Settings.
• I've set the Connector Tolerance to 0.000 degree.
• I've tried Extending to the Corner, not avail.
• I've tried using Placeholders and same thing if I'm running pipe.

Any other ideas? I've linked a DWG file and have to "trace" over what's already been done. It's really the only routing option I have as the CHW/HW systems' routing have already been designated by the building owner.

Thanks in advance! -Tannar

[RevitGarage]

Have you tried opening the elbow fitting you are using to see if it can even flex to such a small angle? Most of the ones I've seen don't go below 3-5 degrees before they throw an error.

[tzframpton]

Have you tried opening the elbow fitting you are using to see if it can even flex to such a small angle? Most of the ones I've seen don't go below 3-5 degrees before they throw an error.

That was the first thing I tried... sorry, forgot to mention. I can type 2.709 in the Angle Parameter and sure enough it flexes right to it.

[dzatto]

Can you just draw the pipes without the fittings, then use the trim command? It should put the fitting in automatically.

[tzframpton]

Already tried that. It works for anything about 9 degrees and up. Definitely can't connect anything incrementally between a whole number. This is really a bummer if I can't get those going.

[tzframpton]

In further investigation, I tried Round Duct. Same size, 14" diameter. This works... either on the fly or editing using the Angle Dimension to manually set it. I wonder why Pipe Fittings don't allow this?

[Steve_Stafford]

Fittings are using lookup tables and tiny angles are probably not "allowed" in the content. Is this happening if you use stock fittings too, the generic ones? They tend to be the most tolerant while looking nothing like what want

[tzframpton]

Fittings are using lookup tables and tiny angles are probably not "allowed" in the content. Is this happening if you use stock fittings too, the generic ones? They tend to be the most tolerant while looking nothing like what want

Yes it most certainly happens with the generic ones. They are the most tolerant, and I even converted the Duct Fitting Family (which gave me the results I wanted when I used Duct Objects) to a Pipe Fitting Family (Did a Save As, changed the Category, deleted duct connectors and added pipe connectors, etc) and still wouldn't do it as a Pipe Fitting Family.

I did find a workaround (finally). I extend the Pipe a few more feet past the point of the slight offset. I then use the SLICE tool and create a slice at the midpoint of the offset. This inserts a Coupling. Using an Angle Dimension I place the tick marks on the Detail Line I've drawn as the centerline for me to "trace" the pipe, and the centerline of the pipe. I then select the Pipe and when the angular dimension becomes editable I set it to zero. This causes the pipe to basically "miter" if you will. This works great just as long as it doesn't go above 2.5 degree +/- so it's giving me exactly the results I need. Pipe is staying connected, so I can do a Tab > Select to offset for the other three lines, etc. Furthermore, it visually represents the way the contractor will more than likely install it, which is to bevel the pipe instead of some custom fitting they fab with a torch.

Man I'm glad I found this workaround; at the very least it gives me what I need to survive and move on. Thanks again for all who contributed!

[NH3man]

Yes it most certainly happens with the generic ones. They are the most tolerant, and I even converted the Duct Fitting Family (which gave me the results I wanted when I used Duct Objects) to a Pipe Fitting Family (Did a Save As, changed the Category, deleted duct connectors and added pipe connectors, etc) and still wouldn't do it as a Pipe Fitting Family.

I did find a workaround (finally). I extend the Pipe a few more feet past the point of the slight offset. I then use the SLICE tool and create a slice at the midpoint of the offset. This inserts a Coupling. Using an Angle Dimension I place the tick marks on the Detail Line I've drawn as the centerline for me to "trace" the pipe, and the centerline of the pipe. I then select the Pipe and when the angular dimension becomes editable I set it to zero. This causes the pipe to basically "miter" if you will. This works great just as long as it doesn't go above 2.5 degree +/- so it's giving me exactly the results I need. Pipe is staying connected, so I can do a Tab > Select to offset for the other three lines, etc. Furthermore, it visually represents the way the contractor will more than likely install it, which is to bevel the pipe instead of some custom fitting they fab with a torch.

Man I'm glad I found this workaround; at the very least it gives me what I need to survive and move on. Thanks again for all who contributed!

Trying to replicate what you did. SLICE TOOL (SPLIT ELEMENTS???) is that what you meant. Also could you post a picture of what final product looked like.

Thanks.